Exquisite Butterflyfish
Chaetodon austriacus
Saltwater Fish
Species Group: Butterflyfish
Family: Butterflyfish
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Exquisite Butterflyfish
General information
The Exquisite Butterflyfish, also known as the Austrialian Butterflyfish, is a peaceful, colorful species that can reach a maximum size of 20 centimeters. In the wild, they can be found in the western Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding areas. They have a black and white striped body, with a bright yellow-orange face and a bold black eye stripe. This species is popular in the aquarium trade due to their beautiful coloration.
Diet & nutrition
In the wild, Exquisite Butterflyfish feed mainly on coral polyps and invertebrates, but they also eat small crustaceans and algae. In captivity, they should be offered a varied diet that includes high-quality flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and chopped seafood.
Determining sex
There are no visible differences between male and female Exquisite Butterflyfish.
Breeding & spawning
Breeding the Exquisite Butterflyfish is difficult and uncommon in captivity. They are pelagic spawners, which means they release their eggs and sperm into the water column, where the fertilization occurs. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which have a planktonic stage before settling on the reef.
Diseases
Exquisite Butterflyfish are generally hardy and not prone to disease if kept in a well-maintained aquarium. However, they can be susceptible to common fish diseases such as ich and marine velvet.
Origination
The Exquisite Butterflyfish is native to the western Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding areas.
Cautions
Exquisite Butterflyfish can be sensitive to changes in water conditions, and they require pristine water quality. They should be kept in a well-established, mature aquarium, and any new additions should be carefully quarantined to prevent the introduction of diseases. They can also be aggressive towards other butterflyfish species, so they should be kept with compatible tankmates.
Acclimation process
When introducing Exquisite Butterflyfish to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly to prevent shock or stress. The drip acclimation method is recommended, where water from the aquarium is slowly added to the bag containing the fish over a period of time. This will allow the fish to adjust to the new water chemistry and temperature gradually.
All photos
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